What Letting Go of Fernando Martinez Means To Me

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When I first read the news that Fernando Martinez had been placed on waivers, I was torn on how to react. Any Mets fan will tell you that F-Mart (as many called him) was ‘supposed’ to be the future, when the Mets were already a middle-of-the-pack team. His scouting reports had him being compared to former greats, and the Mets turning down some good offers for him. But as the years pressed on, and the injuries piled up, Fernando has quickly become a whisper in the winds of change that currently surround the Mets franchise.

Fernando’s placement on the waiver block symbolizes a lot for me, personally, as a Mets fan. For years, the mirage of success was always clouded by the touting of Fernando Martinez. But whenever Fernando was plagued by injuries down on the farm, it seemed as if the club in Queens found themselves experiencing quite the injury bug. You see, Fernando Martinez being placed on waivers represents more than just a highly-touted prospect that failed to live up to his potential due to a barrage of injuries. Fernando Martinez being placed on waivers represents more than just the last remaining failure of Omar Minaya’s time in Queens. For me, Fernando Martinez being placed on waivers represents the end of a rough, injury and failure-filled cycle, and the beginning of a new ‘unknown’… a fresh start… a do-over… an NES Reset Button without having to blow into the cartridge.

I don’t expect the Mets to compete in 2012, and they may not even compete through 2013, but this is a good start. Forget the Wilpons (who I wish would give up and sell already) and forget the money trouble. Change needs to happen, and it’s still only just beginning with this move. It’s time move on, and Sandy is making that happen. Here’s to rebuilding!